Two walks away from a perfect game, Todd County Central High School sophomore Jacob Brandon fanned 11 and threw a no-hitter Tuesday, leading the Rebel baseball team to a 12-0 home win over slumping Russellville.
Brandon (2-4), who had allowed 22 hits in just over 19 innings on the mound this season, was untouchable in Elkton and needed just 69 pitches to send the Panthers to their seventh straight loss and the Rebels to their first district victory of the year.
Russellville’s Joshua Procter drew a walk with one out in the first inning and later advanced to second base on Davin Holloway’s sacrifice bunt, but he was stranded there after one of Brandon’s 11 K’s. And that’s the only time RHS would put a base runner beyond first base the remainder of the game.
Ethan Bicksler, who finished the night 3-for-3 and three runs scored, finished a home run away from hitting for the cycle and gave Todd its first lead with an RBI double in the bottom of the first. During the ensuing at-bat, a hard-hit ball by Brandon led to a two-run error by the Panthers, quickly giving the Rebels a 3-0 advantage.
Two-run singles by Zackery Hall and Grady Reding respectively gave TCCHS leads of 7-0 and 9-0 in the third. Bicksler then tripled to lead off the fourth and scored on a wild pitch for a commanding 10-0 Rebel lead. Brandon then ended the game, via mercy rule, by striking out the side in order in the top half of the fifth.
Procter and Nick Bollenbecker drew the walks for Russellville. Hall (1-for-3, run) drove in a game-high three runs. Senior Jameson Hunt went 1-for-2 with a run, walk, and a stolen base. Brandon didn’t have a hit in two official plate appearances, but helped his own cause with a run, walk, and two RBIs.
Holloway (0-8) remained winless in 2021 after giving up four hits and nine runs (six earned) in 2 2/3 innings. He also walked three and struck out none. Russellville dropped to 1-15 overall.
Todd County Central (12-4) will try to extend its four-game winning streak in a rematch against Edmonson County on April 29 in Elkton. The Rebels defeated 9-1 just a week earlier.